Hello Friends,
I hope you and your family are enjoying the holiday season!
My favorite thing about this time of year is the sense of community and the opportunities to enjoy all the festive events here in Charlotte.
This month, I want to talk about how to safely enjoy all those holiday lights, share one of my family’s favorite traditions, and discuss a very important clinical tool: custom orthotics and their role in relieving back pain.
Top of My Mind: Enjoying Charlotte's Holiday Lights
Must-See Local Holiday Events
Winterfest at Carowinds is a must-see!
No matter how you celebrate, the Charlotte area truly comes alive during December!
Toni and I love taking the kids out to see the spectacular lights and unique holiday events around the Charlotte area. Whether you’re heading to Carowinds Winterfest, taking in the beautiful displays at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, or taking a trip to the famous McAdenville Christmas Lights, there’s no shortage of reasons to get out and walk around.
The Importance of Footwear for Festive Fun
McAdenville is one of our favorite stops during the holidays
While enjoying all that the Charlotte area has to offer, it’s important to remember that most of these events involve a lot of walking and standing. In some cases, this can involve lots of time spent on cold, concrete, or uneven surfaces.
While I want you to enjoy the season, I'm often reminding my patients that being comfortable is the first step to safely enjoying the holidays!
My quick tip for getting the most out of Charlotte-area holiday festivities: Wear supportive, cushioned, and warm footwear. If you suffer from chronic foot fatigue or arch pain, that pain will only be amplified by walking the long paths at Truist Field Light the Knights or the Ballantyne Backyard Holiday Lights.
Don't let foot pain cut your holiday outing short! If you’re experiencing foot pain, my team and I at SmartStep Foot and Ankle can help through telehealth visits or onsite care in the Charlotte Metro.
The Lanier Family Corner: Our Annual Tree Tradition
The Day After Thanksgiving
For the Lanier family, the official start of the holiday season is the day after Thanksgiving when we go out and select our live Christmas tree.
It's a tradition Toni and I cherish, and the kids look forward to helping us decorate the tree and the entire house every year. It truly gets us all into the spirit!
Our family picking out the perfect tree
Decorating Safely
As a physician, my focus is always on safety and wellness, even when decorating. Moving a heavy tree, lifting boxes of decorations, and climbing ladders to put lights on the house are all common causes of holiday injuries, including strained backs and twisted ankles.
When decorating, remember to:
Lift with your knees: Especially when moving that heavy tree base or boxes of ornaments.
Use the right ladder: Always use a stable ladder and have someone spot you when reaching high places.
Wear shoes: Don't decorate barefoot! Wear supportive shoes, even inside, to protect your feet from dropped ornaments and provide stability on ladders.
Clinical Corner: Are Custom Orthotics the Missing Link for Back Pain?
The connection between your feet and your spine is often overlooked
Connecting the Foot to the Spine
One of the most common surprises for new patients is when I tell them their chronic lower back pain might actually be originating in their feet. It’s not uncommon! The fact is that your body is a kinetic chain that acts as a linked system where the foundation (your feet) affects everything above it.
If your foot has poor alignment, low arches, or overpronation, it forces your ankle and knee to rotate inward. This rotation travels up the leg, causing your pelvis to tilt, which then puts stress on your lower back muscles and discs.
The Role of Custom Orthotics
Off-the-shelf shoe inserts simply provide cushioning. Custom orthotics, however, are completely different. They are non-weight-bearing devices designed precisely for the unique structure of your foot. They work by:
Correcting Biomechanics: They stabilize the foot and ankle, ensuring your foot hits the ground correctly.
Restoring Alignment: By stabilizing the foundation, they prevent the inward rotation that leads to misaligned knees and hips, which in turn relieves tension in your lower back.
Distributing Pressure: They evenly distribute your body weight, reducing pressure on painful areas.
If you suffer from chronic foot, knee, or back pain, custom orthotics can often provide long-term, non-surgical relief by fixing the problem at its source. Learn more about custom orthotic solutions by booking a telehealth or onsite visit with me through SmartStep Foot and Ankle.
You can connect with me on social media by searching for “SmartStep Foot and Ankle” or using the handle "@smartstepfootandankle”
Connecting With Us: Your Feedback Fuels Our Footwork
I hope you and your family have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!
If you've had a great experience with me or the SmartStep team recently, please consider leaving us a Google Review. It helps others in Charlotte and across the Carolinas know they can trust us with their foot and ankle health.
You can always email me with questions at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Dr. Thurmond Lanier, Medical Director - SmartStep Foot and Ankle
